Hello
My name is Chris Jelley, I am a research engineer at Cranfield
University in the UK, and for three and a half years I have been working
on the development and application of Rapid Prototyping simulation
software. Part of this research involves looking at the current
state of the RP industry and trying to predict what kind of things
will be important in the future. The questionnaire I have attached
is part of this work. I have already sent this to around 200 users and
developers of RP equipment around the world and have received
a response rate of around 75%. The questionnaire is (as a lot of
people have already pointed out) heavily "biased" towards
stereolithography
(i.e. processes that are based on the point by point solidification
of a photopolymerizable resin by a laser) but this is mainly
because this is seen as the current "Market Leader" and I would like to
get a handle on whether this will still be the case ten years down
the line.
If any of you out there could spare a moment of your time to complete
this
I would be very grateful. I am particularly interested in hearing
from Machine Vendors/Developers Software Vendors/Developers
and Material Vendors/Developers. Could you email the completed
questionnaires directly to ME here at CRANFIELD
(c.jelley@cranfield.ac.uk)
and NOT to the mailing list.
The questionnaire is not meant to be all-encompassing, but I hope
the results (which will be sent directly to every respondent,
and then published in due course) will encourage discussion. I am
always open to constructive criticism, and if you have any thoughts
on what questions I should have asked or what other things you think may
shape the industry in the future I would be happy to hear them.
Thank you very much for your time.
Kindest Regards
Chris.Jelley
P.S : If you are one of the many people I have already approached with
this questionnaire, please accept my apologies and ignore this
request.
-- ============================================================================== Name :Job Title:
1: Please Identify the group(s) to which you belong by placing an X.
RP User [ ]
RP Machine Vendor/Developer [ ] Industrial User [ ] Academic/Research User [ ] RP Service Provider [ ]
RP Material Developer [ ]
Software Vendor / Developer [ ]
Other (please specify) ..
2: Which of the following RP technologies are you most familiar with:
stereolithography [ ]
Fused Deposition Modeling [ ]
Laminated Object Manufacturing [ ]
Sintering [ ]
Inkjet Technology [ ]
Other (Please specify)...
3: How long have you been involved in RP technologies ?
8yrs or more [ ]
4-8 yrs [ ]
2-4 yrs [ ]
1-2 yrs [ ]
Less than 1yr [ ]
4: Based on your opinion please rank the following technologies from 1-6 (1 = best, 3 = average, 6 = worst)
technology Accuracy Build Speed ------------------------------------------------------------- Stereolithography Fused deposition
Laminated object man.
Sintering
Inkjet
Other ---------------------------------------------------------------
5: Based on your opinion please rank the same technologies from 1-6 on their cost performance. (1= best 3= average 6 = worst)
technology Initial cost of investment operating costs --------------------------------------------------------------------- Stereolithography Fused deposition
Laminated object man.
Sintering
Inkjet
Other --------------------------------------------------------------------------
6: Please give your opinion on the following statements. (1= strongly agree, 2= agree, 3= neither agree nor disagree, 4=disagree 5= strongly disagree)
a: Stereolithography is the best RP Technology currently available. 1:[ ] 2:[ ] 3:[ ] 4:[ ] 5:[ ] 6:[ ]
b: Stereolithography apparatus is the current industry standard to which all other technologies must aim in terms of speed of process and accuracy of models.
1:[ ] 2:[ ] 3:[ ] 4:[ ] 5:[ ] 6:[ ]
c: Current stereolithography Apparatus is easy to use.
1:[ ] 2:[ ] 3:[ ] 4:[ ] 5:[ ] 6:[ ]
d: Models produced by stereolithography are expensive compared to other RP technologies.
1:[ ] 2:[ ] 3:[ ] 4:[ ] 5:[ ] 6:[ ]
e: It is the final characteristics and function of the model which determine the selection of the RP technology.
1:[ ] 2:[ ] 3:[ ] 4:[ ] 5:[ ] 6:[ ]
f: The initial cost of investment in RP is prohibitive to all but large companies.
1:[ ] 2:[ ] 3:[ ] 4:[ ] 5:[ ] 6:[ ]
g: As the RP industry matures the cost of the technology to buy will reduce.
1:[ ] 2:[ ] 3:[ ] 4:[ ] 5:[ ] 6:[ ]
h: The future of RP lies in the direct tooling market rather than with the production of models for design verification.
1:[ ] 2:[ ] 3:[ ] 4:[ ] 5:[ ] 6:[ ]
i: Stereolithography is a mature technology with little or no scope left for development.
1:[ ] 2:[ ] 3:[ ] 4:[ ] 5:[ ] 6:[ ]
j: Stereolithography will still be the market leader in ten years.
1:[ ] 2:[ ] 3:[ ] 4:[ ] 5:[ ] 6:[ ]
k: The selection of which RP technology is best suited for a particular application is an easy decision.
1:[ ] 2:[ ] 3:[ ] 4:[ ] 5:[ ] 6:[ ]
l: Stereolithography will still be able to compete with other powder-based direct metal producing technologies in the future as each technology develops.
1:[ ] 2:[ ] 3:[ ] 4:[ ] 5:[ ] 6:[ ]
m: The new 'concept-modelers' will eventually overtake the more established technologies in terms of product sales.
1:[ ] 2:[ ] 3:[ ] 4:[ ] 5:[ ] 6:[ ]
7: What developments would you like to see in the RP industry over the next ten years? Please rank in order of importance. (1=very important, 5 = not important)
Lower cost machines..............................[ ]
High speed machines..............................[ ]
Greater accuracy.................................[ ]
Wider choice of materials........................[ ]
The standardization of the technologies..........[ ]
The broadening of the product range..............[ ]
Elimination of the post-curing step..............[ ]
Improved material properties.....................[ ]
Direct Production of metals......................[ ]
3D Printers......................................[ ]
Greater repeatability............................[ ]
'One-button' operation...........................[ ]
8: Any other comments reagarding the future development of the RP industry and the place stereolithography has within this future?
9: Any other things not mentioned that you would like to comment on?
======================================================================================================= Thank you very much for your time. I will notify you of the results as soon as all the responses have been collated.
************************************************************************** *********** Christopher Jelley ******************************************* *********** Applied Mathematics and Computing Group.********************** *********** Department of Fluid Engineering and Instrumentation ********** *********** School of Mechanical Engineering ***************************** *********** Cranfield University ***************************************** *********** Cranfield, Bedfordshire ************************************** *********** MK43 0AL. UK ************************************************* **************************************************************************
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